presuppose

/,pri:sə'pouz/

Thân thiện

This conclusion presupposes a careful analysis of the data.

Definition

Verb: 1. To require as a necessary prior condition or logical antecedent. This meaning indicates that something must be true or in place for something else to be possible or logical. 2. To assume or take for granted as true beforehand; to suppose in advance. This meaning involves accepting something as a given, often without explicit proof, as a basis for further thought or action.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning 1 (Require as a prior condition):

  • A democratic system presupposes the existence of an informed citizenry. (The existence of an informed citizenry is a necessary condition for a democratic system.)
  • The plan presupposes that we will receive the necessary funding. (The plan's validity or execution logically requires that we receive the funding first.)

• Meaning 2 (Assume or suppose beforehand):

  • When you ask "When did you stop?" you presuppose that I started. (The question is based on the prior assumption that I began doing the activity.)
  • Let's presuppose for the sake of argument that your theory is correct. (Let's temporarily assume your theory is true so we can discuss its implications.)

Advanced Usage

• Philosophical/Linguistic Context: In philosophy and linguistics, "presuppose" often refers to an implicit assumption that must be true for a statement to be meaningful or for a question to have a coherent answer. For example, the question "Is the King of France bald?" presupposes that there is a King of France.
• Logical Presupposition: A proposition A presupposes a proposition B if B must be true for A to be either true or false. If B is false, A is neither true nor false but suffers from "presupposition failure."

Variants and Related Words

• Presupposition (noun): The thing that is presupposed; the act of presupposing.
  • The argument was built on a false presupposition.
• Presuppositional (adjective): Relating to or involving presupposition.

Synonyms

• Assume: To accept something as true without proof.
• Suppose: To think or believe something is true, often temporarily for the sake of argument.
• Postulate: To suggest or accept something as a necessary basis for reasoning.
• Require: To need something as essential.
• Entail: To involve something as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To be based on the presupposition that...: To have as its foundational assumption that...
  • His entire critique is based on the presupposition that the data is flawed.
• To beg the question: (In its traditional logical sense) To assume the truth of the very thing one is trying to prove, which is a form of circular reasoning involving a presupposition.

Học thuật

Verb

1. require as a necessary antecedent or precondition
   • This step presupposes two prior ones
2. take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand
   • I presuppose that you have done your work

Từ đồng nghĩa

• suppose